10 Things My Parents Were Right About

My parents are going to laugh and laugh at this post. I don’t care. Better to head them off at the pass before they can get in a loud, “I told you so!”

…Although, maybe I deserve one.

1. He wasn’t the one.

Parents have a knack for understanding a person you introduce and think is “the one.” They see their intentions, they see their passions, and they see how they fit into your life. Or rather, don’t fit into your life. They see all these things way better than your romance-clouded judgment can. It’s just a true fact of life.

I’ll never live down some embarrassing things I said about boys I thought I “loved” in the past. I’ll survive it, though. Hopefully.2. I shouldn’t have worn that outfit.

Parents always say they know best. But, come on. It’s not like you’re gonna believe them the first time they say it. Maybe you can tell that I was one of those kids who’d say, “I do what I wunt!” Yes, what I wunt. Unfortunately, I am also one of those kids who must now say I wore weird bellbottom jeans in the late 90’s, baby top tees in the early 2000’s, and crimped my hair with a cheap crimper from Claire’s.

Yeah, that’s scarring. You were right, Mom and Dad.3. My siblings really would become my best friends.

I’m pretty sure when my brother was born I thought he was meant to play only two roles in life: my dress-up doll and punching bag. You can imagine that didn’t go over as well with him when he got older. We would bicker and bruise each other from morning to night. I really have no idea how my parents put up with it. My dad would always tell us to hug and be friends again. Then he would say with a smile, “Someday you guys are going to be the best of friends!” We would roll our eyes and try our best to forget he said that.

Man, was I wrong. My brother is now one of my very best friends. At the end of the day, he’s one of the only people in the world who truly knows me and understands me. We’ve been through the same things in our life and appreciate the same kind of humor, drama, and conversations. Dang you, parents.4. If I don’t have anything nice to say, then I shouldn’t say anything at all.

“But, Mom and Dad, doesn’t the world just need a little more truth in it? Doesn’t it need my unfiltered feelings and opinions?! Don’t you think the world could be a better place if I told people how they needed to improve?!”

“No, Grace, it really wouldn’t be.”

Okay, there was no actual conversation that went like this. However, I think those are my thoughts when I choose to say something that I know really just isn’t all that nice. But, wouldn’t you know it, my parents were right. The world really doesn’t need me sending any more negativity its way. So if I don’t have anything nice to say, I’ll just keep my mouth shut.5. I should let go of the people who hurt me.

I’ve had friends in my life who haven’t treated me as their friend. Haven’t we all? Parents have to sit back and watch their kids make those mistakes, over and over and over again. I know my parents tried to guide me away from those friendships, but I never liked to listen. Instead, when the relationships finally fell apart, my parents were always there to say, “just let that person go.”

You were right, guys.6. Please and thank you’s go a long way.

I hated being polite. It seemed like such a chore. Sometimes, forgive me for saying this, it even seemed fake. But, I did my daughterly duties. I’d send thank you notes out after receiving gifts. When staying at someone’s house, I’d remember to say thank you and to leave the room just as I’d left it. I worked hard to do what my parents said, but not because I wanted to do it. Mostly it was because I had to.

Wouldn’t you know it was totally worth it? You get invited back! You get gifts the next year! You are considered dependable! Shoot, I wish I’d listened more whole-heartedly now.7. Chores are actually good for me.

All those years growing up I hated doing my chores. Washing the dishes, taking out the trash, folding the laundry, and mopping the floor drove me crazy. I would moan and complain about doing them. Over time though, and much to my chagrin, I got really good at them.

Now, I’m an adult and have to do all those things anyway. I sure am grateful I’m at least faster at it now. And, really, I don’t dread them anymore. Would you look at that? Looks like I’ve been disciplined!8. I should never say “I’m bored.”

There were so many days during my childhood I would fall down on the couch in a huff and say, “I’m boooooooored.”

My parents’ response was almost always, “Then, go outside.” I could never understand how going outside was just going to evaporate the boredom. But then I realized, there was just no room for boredom in our house. That just meant we were being boring kids.

Stop being boring and you’ll stop being bored. Quite practical really.9. I never actually needed that.

Unfortunately for my parents, I have always seen the world very black and white. If I loved it, then I LOVED it. If I didn’t like it, then I HATED it. If two people had it, then EVERYONE had it. If two people didn’t have it, then NO ONE had it.

So when it came to a new fashion trend, a toy, or a book, I would tell my parents how everyone had it and how badly I needed it, too. Or when ALL of my friends were going to the movies, I needed to go the movies too!

I’m ridiculous. Sorry, parents. I didn’t need any of those things at all. You were definitely right.10. They know better than I do.

I think, at some level, every kid wants to believe they are the first child who has ever been wiser than their parents. That, surely, they know better. I definitely thought that once or twice or…a lot. I’d even tell them so. Whoops.

Well, now that I’ve become a little less of a know-it-all, I’ll admit it. You were right, Mom and Dad, you knew better than I did or ever will. High five to you both for putting up with me all these years. I really do appreciate it.***

What are some things you have learned your parents were right about? Leave a comment below.